MI Emirates returned to winning ways with a dominant seven-wicket victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday, climbing to third on the DP World ILT20 table with their second win in four matches.
Farooqi, Mendis dismantle ADKR for 122
A ruthless bowling performance set up the win. Fazalhaq Farooqi’s 4 for 14 and Kamindu Mendis' 3 for 21 cut through ADKR’s middle order after an initially brisk start from Phil Salt (17 off 9) and Alishan Sharafu (38 off 34).
After Salt fell to Romario Shepherd, Farooqi removed Alex Hales to end the early momentum and Mendis tightened the choke further by removing Liam Livingstone and Sherfane Rutherford in the same over. Sunil Narine fought for a 20-ball 26, but wickets kept tumbling. Farooqi cleaned up the tail in the final over to bowl ADKR out for 122 in 19.3 overs.
We needed those points. Restricting them to as little as possible was the aim… Today was a professional effort from everyone. But all of it means nothing if we don’t play good cricket consistently.
ADKR captain Jason Holder admitted his side fell well short. “122 was never going to be enough, especially with the dew. Too many of us got starts without carrying on. Execution has been our biggest issue — we haven’t adapted to conditions.”
Bairstow Finishes The Job After Waseem’s Burst
The chase began in high gear as Muhammad Waseem smashed 27 off 12 with three sixes in one over. His dismissal and that of Nicholas Pooran didn’t slow MI Emirates for long.
Jonny Bairstow, calm and commanding, took control with an unbeaten 49 off 38 balls, crunching seven sixes and dismantling Ajay Kumar and Olly Stone. His 64-run partnership with Tom Banton (29 off 20) sealed the contest early, leaving only formality for the middle order.
Mendis finished the chase in 13.5 overs with a clean strike over long-on, capping off his Player of the Match performance.
Brief Scores: MI Emirates beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders by seven wickets. ADKR 122 in 19.3 overs (Alishan Sharafu 38, Sunil Narine 26; Fazalhaq Farooqi 4-14, Kamindu Mendis 3-21) MI Emirates 123/3 in 13.5 overs (Jonny Bairstow 49*, Tom Banton 29, Muhammad Waseem 27; Jason Holder 1-11, Ajay Kumar 1-30). Player of the Match: Kamindu Mendis.
